Interchangeable stretching device and clamps



D. FORD Oct. 3, 1961 v INTERCHANGEABLE STRETCHING DEVICE AND CLAMPS Filed April 27, 1959 V 3 Sheets-$heet 1 b K 1 ii 0 0s. w w w w Mw n 00 0000 000 000000 0 0u0 6 wow INVENTOR D F1 W D F0 RD QW ATZUKIVEY Oct. 3, 1961 FORD 3,002,726

INTERCHANGEABLE STRETCHING DEVICE AND CLAMPS Fild April 27, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

DQVID FORD AU'UK VEY Oct. 3, 1961 FORD INTERCHANGEABLE STRETCHING DEVICE AND CLAMP Filed April 27, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 v INVENTOR. DFIV D FORD AUURNE'Y 3,002,726 INTERCHANGEABLE STRETCHENG DEVHCE CLAMPS David Ford, 110-39 Merrick Blvd, Jamaica, N3!- Filed Apr. 27, 1959, er. No. 809,010 1 Claim. ((1254-67) This invention relates to devices for stretching wire or chain link fencing. More particularly, the invention has regard to a device so designed as to engage a stretcher bar connected to one end of a length of wire fencing, with the device being adapted to also engage an adjacent post to which the stretcher bar is to be connected following stretching or tensioning of the fence wire. This application is a continuation in part of my copending application Serial Number 647,228 filed March 20, 1957, now Patent Number 2,884,225.

The device, summarized briefly, includes a removable means engageable about the post and mounted upon an elongated, tubular casing. Rotatable in the casing is a screw, adapted to be turned by a hand crank or by a power device such as an electric motor. A follower block is engaged with the screw or threaded shaft, and includes a removable arm or finger adapted to project laterally from the casing for engagement with the fence stretcher bar. On rotation of the shaft, the follower block is shifted longitudinally of and within the casing, to tension the fence wire and shift the stretcher bar to a position in which it can be connected to the post.

One important object is to provide a device of the character stated that will be adapted to be swiftly engaged with a fence post and stretcher bar, and operated with maximum speed and ease for the purpose of tensioning the wire.

Another object is to provide removable elements on the device engageable with the post and stretcher bar respectively. In accordance with the invention, said elements can be selected according to the particular type of fencing to be stretched, and according also, to the particular type of fence post. in this way, the device is universally usable for stretching wire fencing, regardless of the type of fencing or the type of fence posts on which the wire fencing is to be mounted.

Another object is to provide, in a device of the character stated, a construction such that not only can the device be utilized for stretching fencing, but also, can be utilized as a work clamp for bench or field use, or for any other purposes in which work is adapted to be performed by shifting relatively movable, work-engaging elements toward or away from each other.

Another object is to provide a particularly improved construction for a device of the character stated, such that the shaft can be rotated with maximum ease and speed, while still being adapted to apply a heavy pulling force to the wire being stretched. In this way, it is proposed to adapt the device for both light and heavy duty use, thus increasing measurably the various uses to which the device can be advantageously put.

Still another object is to so form the device that the assembly or disassembly thereof can be effected with a minimum amount of difficulty and expense. In this way, it is proposed to not only reduce the cost of manufacture of the device, but further, facilitate its maintenance and repair by the user thereof.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure: 1

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a stretching device 3,002,726 Patented Oct. 3, 1961 embodying one form of the invention applied to a fence that is being stretched, the fence being illustrated only fragrnentarily.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of the stretching device, a fence and fence post being shown in dot-dash lines, parts being broken away.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view on the same scale as FIG. 2 taken substantially on line 33 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 4--4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the stretching device.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged disassembled perspective view of the follower block and the removable wire fence engaging element.

FIG. 6A is an edge view of a fence post engaging element.

PEG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 5 but showing modified forms of work engaging elements.

FIG.- 7A is a perspective view of the other work engaging element shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view and FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of one of the modified work en gaging elements shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another modified form of stretching device, the device being shown vertically disposed.

FIG. 11 is a view similar to PEG. 1 showing apparatus for supporting the stretching device when in fence stretching position.

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary part elevational and part sectional view of the stretching device and associated supporting apparatus.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the supporting apparatus shown in FIG. 11 in spread apart condition.

FIG. 14 is an edge view of the supporting apparatus in connected condition showing the stretching device in cross section in supported condition thereon.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the connecting means for the supporting bars.

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 14 on an enlarged scale.

Referring in detail to the drawings, in FIG. 1 a wire fence of the chain link type is shown and designated generally by the reference numeral ill. The links are secured at the ends of the fence to perforated supporting bars 12 and 14. One end of the fence is fastened to a fence post its by means of clamps 18 of the split sleeve type having perforated extensions 2t? secured to the end bar 12 by means of bolts 24 extending through the aligned perforations in the clamp extensions and the perforations in the end bar 12. Similar clamps 18 are supported on a fence post 26 to which the other end of the fence is to be fastened when stretched to reach the post.

In accordance with the invention, a stretching device for stretching the fence to reach post 26 is shown in FIG. 2 and designated generally at 30. This stretching device comprises an elongated hollow casing or housing 32 cast of heavy stock, rectangular in configuration and cross section. The casing includes side walls 34, 35, 38 and it} and end walls 42 and 44. A narrow slotafi is formed in side wall 34 extending the length of the wall and a wider slot 48 of similar length is formed in opposed side Wall 36.

Upposed walls 33 and dil are formed with central cut away portions 5t) extending substantially the lengthof the walls, said cut away portions reducing the weight of the device and providing shoulders 52 extending along the walls. End wall 42 is cast integral with the side walls and is provided with a central opening 54, and end wall 44 is constituted by a removable metal plate having a central opening '56 and an inwardly extending flange 58 fitting into the side walls and secured to the side walls by screws as extending through aligned threaded openings in the walls and flange. V V

A shaft 64 extends centrally through and outwardly of the casing or housing 3%. The portion of the shaft inside the casing is formed with external screw threads 66 of the square type. The ends 68 and 7d of the shaft protrude loosely through the openings 54 and 56 of the end walls 4-2 and 44, respectively, and are formed with threads 72 of the V-type. A collar 74 is formed on the shaft 64 abutting with the inner surface of end wall '42 to prevent longitudinal shifting of the shaft in one direction. A flanged nut 76 is threaded onto the threaded "end 63 of the shaft. The flange of the nut abuts against the end wall 42 thereby preventing displacement of the shaft in the other direction. Formed in the threaded wall of the nut is a longitudinal wedging groove '77 adapted to be registered with a longitudinal groove 7? formed in shaft 68 to receive a wedge shaped key '73. Key 73 isinserted through the groove 79 and is tapped into place after application of the nut to the shaft. A washer St) is mounted on the opposite end 79 of the shaft and outwardly of the washer on the shaft is a nut 82 coacting with the threads on the end 7%. The nut 82 and end 70 of the shaft are formed with registering wedging grooves $1 and 83, respectively, to receive a wedge-shaped key 35.

The shaft 64 is adapted to be rotated by a crank 34 having a hollow hub portion 86 slipped over the outer surface of the nut 76 and fastened to the shaft by the key 78 extending through aligned openings in the hub portion and nut and extending into a threaded recess in the shaft. The shaft is journalled in the end walls of the casing or housing and upon rotation of the shank 84 in a direction either clockwise or counter-clockwise will turn in the same direction.

It will be understood that any desired means may be used for rotating the shaft 64. in place of manual operation, an electric motor having a driving connection to the shaft may be used. Alternatively, a heavy-duty electric drill, having a chuck adapted to receive the nut 76 or shaft 64 may be used.

7 An elongated metal follower block W is movably sleeved around the shaft 64. The block is of a crosssectional shape complementing that of the casing (see FIG. 4). The block has a central bore 92 formed with internal screw threads corresponding to the threads on the shaft and coacting therewith so that upon turning of the shaft in one direction the block will move therealong in one direction and upon turning of the shaft in the opposite direction, the block will move therealong in an opposite direction, as will be understood. One side of the block, the side facing the side wall as of the casing is cut away midway its ends as indicated at 94, said out extending across the side thereof. The same side of the block at each end of the block is formed with an elongated slot 96 with tapered and undercut side walls 98, the larger end of the slot communicating with the cut away portion as. The cut away portion and slots open outwardly and define a pair of guiding and interlocking flanges 1% at each end of the block, the slot between each pair of flanges narrowing in Width progressively toward the outer end thereof.

' On each of the opposed side Walls 33 and 4th, one end thereof, the end adjacent the crank shaft 84, is enlarged as indicated at 106. The enlargement is integral and rectangular in shape and on its outer side is cut away midway its ends as indicated at 1%, said out extending across the outer side thereof. The same side of the enlargement at each end thereof is formed with an elongated slot 110, with tapered and undercut side walls 11.2, the larger end of the slot communicating with the cut away portion 1&8. The cut away portion and slots open outwardly and define a pair of guide and interlocking flanges 114 at each end of the block, the slot between each pair 4 of flanges narrowing in width progressively toward the outer end thereof.

The movable follower block 9d and the fixed blocks 166 are adapted to removably support cast metal work receiving and abutting elements, which elements coact to function in the nature of outside and inside calipers, and also as clamping elements. One form of such work receiving elements is best shown in FIG. 6 and is indi cated generally at 12%. A second form is shown in FIG. 6A and is indicated generally at 125. Another modified form of work abutting element is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 and is indicated generally at 122. A further form of such work abutting element is shown in MG. 7A and is indicated generally at The work receiving element 129 constitutes a casting including a narrow base 1% having a flat bottom 128 and upwardly and inwardly tapering side walls 13th with a flat top 132, defining a dovetail shape in cross section. Extending upwardly from the center of the base there is a narrow plate 134, one end edge 1% of the plate merging with one edge of the base and curving away from said end edge toward the other end edge of the base. The other end of the pi ate extends laterally of the other end of the base and has a straight side edge 138 formed with a C-shaped cut away portion or recess indicated at ldll thereby defining extending fingers 142 and M4 forming a cradle for snugly engaging and supporting a workpiece.

The work receiving element shown in FIG. 6A is similar in construction to the work receiving element 124 and similar reference numerals are used to indicate similar parts but in element 125 the plate 134 does not project out from the central axial plane of the base 126 but is offset from the plane of the body of the base so that the base is disposed laterally of the plate.

The work abutting element 122 shown in FIGS. 3 and 9 comprises a casting including a rectangular-shaped plate with flanges 152 at the ends of the plate. The outer edges of the flanges are cut away and curved at their top ends as viewed in FIGS. 8 and 9, and indicated at 154, terminating at the bottom ends with enlarged portions i556 having straight outer edges.

The enlarged portions 156 of the flanges extend below the plate 150, and formed on the bottom ends of said enlarged depending portions 1156 are enlargements 160. The enlargements are formed on the inner surfaces of both flanges in a plane offset from the plane of the flanges, in confronting relationship. Each enlargement has a narrow tapering body, with slanting walls 164, defining a dovetail cross section. The body gets narrower progressively toward the outer edges of the flanges away from the plate, so that the wider portion of the body is adjacentthe plate. The body is disposed in a plane parallel to the bottom edge of the flange, and extends partially below said edge.

The work abutting element 124 shown in FIG. 7A comprises a casting including an elongated rectangularshaped base of dovetail shape in cross section having a flat bottom 172, tapered side walls 174 and flat top 1176. A connecting plate member 178 extends upwardly from the center of the top of the base and is disposed in the plane of the plane of the body of the base. One side of the plate member is cut away and curved as indicated at 180 and the other side is straight and extends upwardly from the adjacent end of the base. An abutting plate 182 is supported on the straight side of the plate member 178 and is disposed at right angles to the base and connecting plate.

In assembling the stretching device 30, the follower block 90 is inserted from the left-hand end of the casing 32 as viewed in FIG. 3. The shaft is then inserted from the left in FIG. 3 and is threaded through the bore 92 of the block after which the plate 44 is slipped onto the shaft and secured to the side walls of the casing by the screws 60. The washer 80 is then slipped on the shaft and the nut 82 fastened in position. The flanged nut 76 is threaded onto the protruding end 68 of the shaft until its flange abuts against the end 42 of the casing.

The movable wirefence-engaging or work-engaging element 120 may then be mounted on the follower block 90 by inserting the base 126 thereof through the cut away portion 94 of the block and inserting the narrow end thereof through the wide end of the slot 96 between the desired pair of flanges 100 and sliding the base into wedging relationship with the narrow end of the slot 96 so that the plate 134 projects outwardly through the slot 48 in the wall 36 of the casing 32, as shown in FIG. 5. The greater the pulling force exerted during use of the device, the tighter the wedging action of the base within its associated slot.

i The pair of post engaging elements 125 may then be mounted in position in the desired pair of guide flanges 114 mounted on the end of the casing 32. Each element is mounted inits respective pair of flanges by inserting the base 126 into the cut away portion 108 between the pairs of flanges and then inserting the narrow end of the base through the wide portion of the slot 110 between the respective pair of flanges 114 and sliding the base inward ly of the slot so as to interlock with the slanting walls 112 of said flanges. With the base so positioned, the plate 134 of the element 125 will extend outwardly of the wall 36 of the casing 32 in the same direction as the wall 134 of the wire fence engaging element 120. The base is inserted in the desired pair of flanges, for example, theouter pair as shown in FIG. 5, so that the cradle portion or cut away portion 140 of the elements 125. will confront the same cradle portion in the wire fence engaging element 120 as shown in FIG. 5.

In using the stretching device 30 for stretching a fence, such as the fence 10 shown in FIG. 1, the fence-engaging element 126* and the post-engaging elements 125 are mounted in the pairs of flanges so that the cut away or cradle portions 140 of the elements are in confronting relation to each other as shownin FIG. 2. With the elements thus positioned, the post-engaging elements 125 are hooked around the post 26 and the wire fenceengaging element 120 is then hooked around the bar 14. This can be accomplished by moving the follower block 90'until the element 121 engages around the bar. Turning of the crank 84 in the proper direction will move the follower block along the shaft 64. 'The device 30 will then be positioned as shown in FIG. 1.

Upon continued manual turning of the crank in the same direction, the bar 14 is pulled toward the post 26 thus stretching the fence and when the bar is moved into reach of the extensions 20 of the clamps 18 on post 26, the bar is fastened to the post by means of bolts passing through the aligned openings in the bar and extensions, such as the bolts 24 shown to the left of FIG. 1.

When the elements 120 and 125 are thus positioned with their cradle portions 140 in confronting relation for stretching a fence, said elements 126 and 125 function as outside calipers. However, said elements may be made to function as inside calipers for any desired work by merely reversing the position of the elements so that the cradle portions 140 are facing away from each other. This is accomplished by placing the base 126 of element 120 in the inside pair of flanges 100 (as viewed in FIG. whereby the portion 140 of the element will be facing toward the adjacent end of the casing 32. By inserting the base 126 of each element 125 in the inside pair of flanges 114 as viewed in FIG. 5, the cradle portion 140 of each element 125 will be facing toward the adjacent end of the casing and away from the portion 140 of the element 120. When the elements are in this position, movement of the follower block W, carrying the element 120 away from the elements 125, will cause stretching of any article engaged by or looped around the elements.

The stretching device is thus adapted to be used with maximum ease and speed, and it will be apparent that it can be employed for stretching any type of fence wire, The fence engaging element can be of any 'sh'ap'e, according to the wire being stretched, and the elements may also be of any desired shape according to the article to be engaged thereby.

In place of the fence engaging elements 120 and the post engaging elements 125, the stretching device 30 may be used with the modified forms of work-engaging ele ments 122 and 124- shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, inclusive. In using these elements, the element 124 is mounted in the follower block 9% in the same manner as the element 120. The shape of the base 170 permits this operation. In FIG. 7, the element 124 is shown mounted in the outside pair of flanges 1%, similar to the mounting of element 120, so that the front of the plate 182 faces toward the other end of the casing 32.

At the other end of the casing, a single work-engaging element 122 is mounted either in the outside pairs of flanges 114 or in the inside pairs of said flanges, depending upon the character of the work to be done. In FIG. 7, the element 122 is shown mounted in. the outside pairs of flanges 11 4 so that the front of the plate of-the element is facing the front of the element 124. This is accomplished by inserting the bases of the element in the cut away portion 193 and then inserting the narrow ends of the bases 166 in the wide portions of the slots 110 in the outside pairs of flanges 114 and sliding the bases outwardly of the casing into 'wedging relation with the slanting walls 112 of the slots 11% as shown in FIG. 7. Any compressible work placed in abuttingj'relation with and between the plates 162 and 150 will becompressed or any rigid Work may be clamped against displacement upon turning of the shaft 164 bythe crank 84 inthe proper direction to move the element 124, along the shaft toward the element 122.

The elements 122 and 124 may be reversed so that the fronts of the plates face away from each other'for any desired type of work by merely placing the bases 160 and 170, respectively, thereof in'the inner pairsof flanges 114 and 1% as will be understood.

Referring now to FIG. 10, the modified form of stretching device 3% shown herein is similar to the stretching device 3%) of FJIG. l exwpt that the shaft 64 hasexternal threads 66' of V-shape instead of square shape as shown in FIG. 1. Furthermore, the stretching device 30' is shown vertically disposed with the front faces of the plates 182 and 150 of elements 124 and 122 facing away from each other. This is done by mounting the element 124 in the inside pair of flanges 1th), and mounting the element 122 in the inside pair of flanges 114. The elements 122 and 124 when thus positioned function as inside calipers and are adapted to stretch any work suitably looped around the elements.

The stretching devices 30 and 30 are formed of metal castings or heavy metal stock and accordingly are quite heavy. In FIGS. 11 to 14, inclusive, apparatus is shown for supporting the stretching device while in fence stretching position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 11. This apparatus includes two elongated relatively narrow flat plates 136 and 188, one long edge of each plate being tapered at its ends as indicated at 190. A plurality of spaced plates forming shelves 192 are fastened across one face of plate 188, each shelf 192 terminating in an upwardly extending flange 194 as viewed in FIGS. 11 and 13. Extending outwardly from the other face of plate 188 are a plurality of spaced connecting rods 196. One end of each rod is enlarged or formed with a head 198 suitably secured in correspondingly shaped holes 269 in plates 188. The other end of each rod is formed with a cross rod 202 disposed at right angles thereto. One end of rod 202 is formed with a slanting face 204, the face 204 confronting the plate 188 and slanting downwardly and outwardly away from the plate 188.

Plate 186 is formed with a plurality of spaced elongated slots 206 along one long edge thereof, the spacing meet between the slots corresponding to the spacing of the connecting'rods 196. p I

In using this apparatus, the plate 188 is vertically disposed oil the side of the fence 1'!) across which the stretching device 30 extends as shown in FIG. 11, with its rods 196 extending through the openings in the links of the fence. The other .plate 186 is similarly disposed on the opposite side of the fence, and receives the connecting rods 1% in the slots 2%, in interlocking relation. This operation is performed byinserting the cross rods 2%. through the slots 2126 and sliding the plate 188 with the connecting rods 196 downwardly so that the lower slanting faced ends 204 interlock with the lower end edge Walls of the slots 296 and hold the plates against displacement. The slanting faces of the ends 26'4- permit this operation. When the plates 186 and 138 are thus secured to the fence, the casing or housing 32 of the stretching device may be seated and supported on any one of the sleeves 192, with the cut away portion 59 of Lthe Wall 38 of the casing 32 seated and supported on the flange 194, the flange being adapted to interlock with the outside shoulder '52 of the 'wall 38 to prevent outward displacement of the casing or housing. The device has utility, in any situation in which it is desired to shift one member toward another inember, or in various other situations in which it may be desired to compressor clamp a workpiece securely while varione work operations are performed thereon.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred :cinbodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that 1 do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and that various changes and modifications fmay b'e'rnade within the scope of the invention as defined 'ih'th'e appended claim.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim as new, and desire to "secure by United States Letters Patent is:

A wire fence stretching device comprising an elongated hollow rectangular-shaped casing engageable between a fence post and a stretcher bar in a wire fence to be stretched, "said casing having side Walls and end walls, o'ne'o'fsaid side walls being slotted, the end walls having c'e'n't'ral openings, a threaded shaft extending centrally through the casing and journalled in the openings in the end walls, means outwardly of the casing connected to one end of the shaft for rotating the shaft, an elongated follower block sleeved aroiiildfthe "shaft inside the casin}; and threaded to "the "shaft for statement thereaieng upon rotat ii of the shaft, a pair erspa'ce'd 'gnide flan es with dovetailed undercut recesses c'irthe outer surface of said block at each end thereof, "the space between the flanges "of each panbeing tapered with the wide eats of the spaces at the inner, ends of the flanges, "said inner ends or the flanges being spaced to provide an unob- Structed intermediate portion on said surface a plate having a base or dovetail configuration selectively and 'iernov'ably inounted in and interlocked with either .pair of flanges on said block, said base being 'en'g'a'geable with and 'dis'en'gageable from either pair of flanges by sliding movement along said intermediate portion on said surface, said plate being disposed at right angles to the axis of said base, another pair of spaced 'guide flanges adjacent the end of each of two opposed side Walls of the casing, a further pair of spaced guide 'flang'es on each of said opposed side walls spaced inwardly from said other pair of spaced guide flanges to define therebetween an unobstructed area on each side Wall, and a broad-faced rectangular-shaped other plate having int egral flanges at both ends thereof extending beyond one long side thereof, with integral other dovetail base's along the extremities of integral flanges, said other and further pairs of flanges having undercut dovetailed recesses, said other dovetail bases being selectively and reniovably mounted in and inter-locked with either of the other and further pairs of spaced .guide flanges, said other dovetail bases being simultaneously engageable in and disengageab e from either of the other and further pairs of spaced guide flanges by slidabl'e inoverhent through said unobstructed areas on the opposed side walls.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 900,726 Gwynne e 'Oct. '13, 1908 946,140 Knoke Jan. l l, 1910 1,252,869 West Jan. 8, 1918 1,336,087 oshau' hne'ss Apr. 6, 1920 2,382,447 Schaenfele Aug. 14, 1945 2,525,382 Trees Oct. 10, 1950 2,554,020 Fritz May 22, 1951 2,646,963 Usher July 28, 1953 2,732,176 Martin Jan. 24, 1956 2,884,225 Ford Apr. 28, 1959 

